Radiographic Imaging Apparatus and Radiographic Imaging System

This application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2023/037127, filed Oct. 13, 2023, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2022-165498, filed Oct. 14, 2022, No. 2022-172565, filed Oct. 27, 2022, No. 2023-063673, filed Apr. 10, 2023, No. 2023-071786, filed Apr. 25, 2023, No. 2023-119938, filed Jul. 24, 2023, No. 2023-171786, filed Oct. 3, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging apparatus and a radiographic imaging system.

Radiographic imaging apparatuses that detect an intensity distribution of radiation transmitted through a subject to obtain a radiographic image are widely and commonly used in the field of medical diagnosis. To enable quick imaging of a wide range of body parts, such radiographic imaging apparatuses are demanded to be thin and easy to handle. In view of such a demand, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discusses a radiographic imaging apparatus including a housing with a thin section where a radiation detection panel is disposed and a thick section where a plurality of components such as a control substrate and a power supply is disposed. PTL 2 discusses a radiographic imaging apparatus including a thin first housing where a radiation detection panel is disposed and a second housing that is separate from the first housing and configured to be movable on the first substrate and where a plurality of components such as a control substrate and a power supply is disposed.

If a plurality of components is arranged in a planar direction as in the thick section of the housing discussed in PTL1 or the second housing discussed in PTL2, there is an issue that the thick section of the radiographic imaging apparatus becomes large in the planar direction. In other words, conventional radiographic imaging apparatuses have had an issue of being insufficient for performing appropriate operation with an appropriate shape in consideration of the user's workability.

The present invention has been achieved in the foregoing issue, and is directed to providing a radiographic imaging apparatus that enables appropriate operation with an appropriate shape in consideration of the user's workability.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where incident radiation is detected, a control substrate configured to control driving of the radiation detection panel, a processing substrate configured to process a signal output from the radiation detection panel, and a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the control substrate, and the processing substrate, wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where the effective imaging area is disposed, and a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where the control substrate and the processing substrate are disposed, and wherein the control substrate and the processing substrate are disposed to overlap each other at least in part when the second thickness section is viewed along the incident direction of the radiation.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where incident radiation is detected, a control substrate configured to control driving of the radiation detection panel, a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel and the control substrate, and a grip portion configured to be gripped to hold the housing, wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where the effective imaging area is disposed, and a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where the control substrate and the grip portion are disposed, and wherein the control substrate and the grip portion are disposed to overlap each other at least in part when the second thickness section is viewed along the incident direction of the radiation, and the control substrate is disposed at a position closer to a side where the radiation is incident than the grip portion.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where incident radiation is detected, a control substrate configured to control driving of the radiation detection panel, a flexible circuit board configured to connect the radiation detection panel and the control substrate, and a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, the control substrate, and the flexible circuit board, wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where the effective imaging area is disposed, a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where the control substrate is disposed, and a gradient section, which connects the first thickness section and the second thickness section with a gradient, and where at least a part of the flexible circuit board is disposed, and wherein the flexible circuit board connects the radiation detection panel and the control substrate which are disposed at different positions in the incident direction of the radiation, with a gradient.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where radiation transmitted through a subject is detected, a predetermined circuit configured to detect a signal output from the radiation detection panel, and a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel and the predetermined circuit. wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where at least the effective imaging area is disposed, and a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where at least the predetermined circuit is disposed, and wherein in the second thickness section, a current reduction mechanism for reducing a loop current in a region where a closed circuit may occur is disposed.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where incident radiation is detected, a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, and a display unit configured to function as a user interface, wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where the effective imaging area is disposed, and a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where the display unit is disposed in an area which is excluded from a center in a longitudinal direction and is on one end side in the longitudinal direction.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where radiation transmitted through a subject is detected, a sensor unit configured to include one or more types of sensors for detecting the subject, and a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, wherein the housing includes a first thickness section, which has a first thickness in an incident direction of the radiation, and where the effective imaging area is disposed, and a second thickness section, which has a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the incident direction of the radiation, and where the sensor unit is disposed.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiographic imaging apparatus includes a radiation detection panel configured to include an effective imaging area where radiation transmitted through a subject is detected, and a housing configured to accommodate the radiation detection panel, wherein in the housing, an index indicating a range of the effective imaging area is disposed on a first surface corresponding to a surface on one side of the radiation detection panel and a second surface corresponding to a surface on the other side of the radiation detection panel.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Hereinafter, modes (exemplary embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the details of the dimensions and structures shown in the exemplary embodiments are not limited to those described in the present specification and shown in the drawings. In this specification, the radiation includes not only X-rays but also α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, particle beams, cosmic rays, and the like.

A first exemplary embodiment will initially be described.

is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiographic imaging system-according to the first exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in, the radiographic imaging system-includes a radiographic imaging apparatus-and a radiation generation apparatus.

The radiation generation apparatusis an apparatus that emits radiationtoward a subject H and the radiographic imaging apparatus-.

The radiographic imaging apparatus-is an apparatus that detects the incident radiation(including the radiationtransmitted through the subject H) to obtain a radiographic image of the subject H. The radiographic image obtained by this radiographic imaging apparatus-is transmitted to an external apparatus, displayed on a monitor by the external apparatus, and used for diagnosis or the like, for example.illustrates a radiation incident surfaceof the radiographic imaging apparatus-where the radiation is incident, and a rear surfaceopposite to the radiation incident surface.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system with the incident direction of the radiation(vertical direction) as a Z direction, and two mutually orthogonal directions orthogonal to the Z direction as an X direction and a Y direction.

illustrates a housingof the radiographic imaging apparatus-as the appearance of the radiographic imaging apparatus-. An indicatorindicating the range of an effective imaging areawhere a radiation detection panel (radiation detection panelofto be described below) accommodated in the housingdetects the radiationtransmitted through the subject H is displayed on the housing.

As illustrated in, the housingincludes a thin sectioncorresponding to a first thickness section that is a section including the effective imaging areaand has a first thickness in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. As illustrated in, the housingalso includes a thick sectioncorresponding to a second thickness section that is a section not including the effective imaging areaand has a second thickness greater than the thickness (first thickness) of the thin sectionin the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. More specifically, in the example illustrated in, the thick section (second thickness section)is thicker than the thin section (first thickness section)toward the side where the radiationis incident. As illustrated in, the housingfurther includes a gradient sectionthat connects the thin section (first thickness section)and the thick section (second thickness section)with a gradient. The housingis a single- or multi-part integral housing including the thin section (first thickness section), the thick section (second thickness section), and the gradient sectiondescribed above. The thick section (second thickness section)of the housingis provided with a grip portionfor the user to grip the housing.

The housingillustrated inwill now be described in more detail.

To achieve portability and strength in a compatible manner, the housingis desirably formed of materials such as magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, and fiber-reinforced plastic, for example. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the housingmay be formed of materials other than those mentioned here. In particular, the radiation incident surfaceof the thin sectionwhere the effective imaging areais disposed is desirably formed of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or the like with high transmittance for the radiationand excellent lightweight properties, but other materials may also be used. Here, when imaging the subject H such as a patient using the radiation, the radiographic imaging apparatus-may be placed immediately behind the imaging site of the subject H. In doing so, due to a step created by the thickness of the housingof the radiographic imaging apparatus-, the subject H and the end portion of the housingcome into contact to cause a reaction force, and the patient or the like who is the subject H may feel discomfort. Typical radiographic imaging apparatuses are often provided in sizes compliant with ISO (International Organization for Standardization):, and often configured with a thickness of approximately 15 mm to 16 mm. By contrast, in the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the present exemplary embodiment, the thin sectionof the housinghas a thickness (first thickness) of 8.0 mm, for example. With the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the present exemplary embodiment, the step created by the thickness of the housingduring radiographic imaging is therefore smaller, and the reaction force occurring between the subject H and the end portion of the housingis reduced. To obtain such effects, the thickness of the thin sectionof the housingdoes not need to be limited to 8.0 mm, and may be even smaller, for example. The applicant has confirmed that the foregoing effects is obtainable if the thickness of the housingis less than 10.0 mm. In the present exemplary embodiment, the foregoing thickness of the thin sectionof the housingis set to 8.0 mm as an appropriate thickness in view of the configuration and mechanical strength of the radiation detection panel disposed in the thin section.

is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration in cross section A-A of the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in. In this, components similar to those illustrated inare denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system corresponding to the XYZ coordinate system illustrated in. Specifically, cross section A-A illustrated inis a cross section along the Y direction.

As illustrated in, the housingof the radiographic imaging apparatus-accommodates the radiation detection panel, flexible circuit boards, a control substrate, wiring, a processing substrate, and a shielding member. As described above, the thick sectionof the housingis provided with the grip portionfor the user to grip the housing.

In the example illustrated in, the grip portionis formed in a recessed shape in the side of the thick sectionof the housingwhere the radiationis incident.

The radiation detection panelhas the effective imaging areaillustrated in, where the radiationemitted from the radiation generation apparatusand incident thereon (including the radiationtransmitted through the subject H) is detected. For example, the radiation detection panelmay be configured using a so-called indirect conversion system, including a sensor substrate on which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements (sensors) are arranged, and a phosphor layer (scintillator layer), a phosphor protective film, and the like that are disposed above the sensor substrate. Here, the sensor substrate may be formed of materials such as glass and flexible plastic. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the materials are not limited thereto. The phosphor protective film is formed of a material with low moisture permeability, and used to protect the phosphor layer. In the radiation detection panelof this indirect conversion system, the incident radiationis converted into light in the phosphor layer, and the light obtained from the phosphor layer is converted into electrical signals by the respective photoelectric conversion elements, whereby image signals related to a radiographic image are generated. The radiation detection panelincludes some or all of the photoelectric conversion elements (sensors) in its effective imaging area. The effective imaging areais an area that is capable of radiographic imaging of the subject H and where radiographic images are actually generated. As illustrated in, the effective imaging areaof the radiation detection panelis disposed within the thin section. In the example illustrated in, the effective imaging areahas a substantially rectangular shape as seen in the incident direction of the radiation. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in this. The radiation detection panelis not limited to the configuration of the foregoing indirect conversion system, either. For example, the radiation detection panelmay be configured using a so-called direct conversion system, including a conversion element unit where conversion elements formed of a-Se or the like and switch elements such as TFTs are two-dimensionally arranged. In the radiation detection panelof this direct conversion system, the incident radiationis converted into electrical signals by the respective conversion elements, whereby image signals related to a radiographic image are generated.

The flexible circuit boardsare boards that connect the radiation detection paneland the control substrate. As illustrated in, the radiation detection paneland the control substrateare disposed at different positions (heights) in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. The flexible circuit boardsthus connect the radiation detection paneland the control substratewith a gradientwith respect to the Y direction that is a horizontal direction. As illustrated in, the flexible circuit boardsare disposed at least in part in the gradient sectionof the housing. The flexible circuit boardsinclude various substrates and elements inside, and thus need a predetermined area. This makes the radiographic imaging apparatus-large in the planar direction (plane including the Y direction) if the flexible circuit boardsare disposed in parallel with the Y direction perpendicular to the incident direction of the radiation(Z direction), for example. In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in, the flexible circuit boardsare situated with the gradient, whereby the area of the flexible circuit boardsin the planar direction (plane including the Y direction) is reduced. As illustrated in, the flexible circuit boardsis provided with the gradient, which enables space saving of the radiographic imaging apparatus-(for example, thick section) in the planar direction and prevents increase in size. Such an effect increases with the angle of the gradientof the flexible circuit boards. The greater the difference in height in the Z direction between the radiation detection paneland the control substrate, the more pronounced the effect. In the present exemplary embodiment, based on the effect, the control substrateis disposed at a position close to the radiation incident surface, and the radiation detection panelis disposed at a position close to on the rear surfaceof the substrates. However, depending on the configuration, a certain level of effect may be expected even with different arrangements.

The control substrateis a substrate that controls driving of the radiation detection panelvia the flexible circuit boards. The control substratefurther obtains the image signals related to a radiographic image from the radiation detection panelvia the flexible circuit boards. As illustrated in, this control substrateis disposed in the thick section. Specifically, as illustrated in, the control substrateis disposed inside the thick section, at the position close to the side where the radiationis incident relative to the processing substrate.

The wiringis wiring that connects the control substrateand the processing substrate. As illustrated in, this wiringis disposed in the thick section. More specifically, as illustrated in, the wiringis disposed on the side of the control substrateand the processing substrateopposite to a side close to a position where the radiation detection panelis disposed.

The processing substrateis a substrate that processes the image signals related to a radiographic image that are signals output from the radiation detection panel. Specifically, the processing substrateobtains the image signals related to a radiographic image that are output from the radiation detection panelfrom the control substratevia the wiring, and processes the obtained image signals related to a radiographic image. As illustrated in, this processing substrateis disposed in the thick section.

In the example illustrated in, the control substrateand the processing substrateare arranged in this order as seen from the radiation incident surfaceof the thick section. Here, as illustrated in, the processing substratehas a large width in the horizontal direction (Y direction) towards the position where the radiation detection panelis disposed, compared to the control substrate. With the configuration in which the control substrateat the position close to the radiation incident surfaceof the thick sectionis small in width, and the processing substratenear the radiation detection panelis large in width, the gradient sectionis provided at the border between the thick sectionand the thin section. With the gradient section, deformation or fracture due to the concentration of mechanical stress on the border portion between the thick sectionand the thin sectionis prevented.

As illustrated in, the shielding memberis disposed inside the thick section, between the control substrateand the processing substrate. The shielding memberis disposed to reduce electromagnetic noise.

is a view of the components inside the housingof the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the first exemplary embodiment, seen from the rear surface. In this, components similar to those illustrated inare denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system corresponding to the XYZ coordinate system illustrated in. Specifically,is a view of the components inside the housingof the radiographic imaging apparatus-, seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation.

As illustrated in, the radiographic imaging apparatus-further includes a batteryin the thick sectionof the housing. This batteryis a power supply that supplies power to the components of the radiographic imaging apparatus-(such as the radiation detection panel, the flexible circuit boards, the control substrate, and the processing substrate). Examples of the batteryinclude a lithium-ion battery, an electric double layer capacitor, and an all-solid-state battery. Other batteries may be used.

In, the processing substrateis illustrated in front of the control substrateseen from the rear surface, as is also illustrated in. Similarly, in, the batteryis illustrated in front of the control substrate. In the example illustrated in, the control substrateis disposed across both ends of the thick sectionin the X direction. The control substrateis thus disposed in a long rectangular shape along one side of the radiation detection panelalong the X direction.

As illustrated in, the control substrateand the processing substrateare disposed in the thick sectionto overlap at least in part as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. The control substrateand the processing substrateare thus disposed in the thick sectionto overlap as seen in the incident direction of the radiation(Z direction), which reduces the area of the thick sectionin the planar direction (XY-plane direction). This enables space saving of the thick sectionof the radiographic imaging apparatus-in the plane direction and prevents increase in size.

As illustrated in, the grip portionis disposed in the thick section, near the center of one side of the radiation detection panelalong the X direction. In the thick section, the control substrateand the grip portionare disposed to overlap at least in part as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. The control substrateand the grip portionare thus disposed in the thick sectionto overlap as seen in the incident direction of the radiation(Z direction), which reduces the area of the thick sectionin the planar direction (XY-plane direction). This enables space saving of the thick sectionof the radiographic imaging apparatus-in the planar direction and prevents increase in size. Specifically, as illustrated in, the positional relationship of the control substrateand the grip portionin the Z direction is such that the grip portionis disposed on a side with the radiation incident surfaceand the control substrateis disposed on a side with the rear surface.

As illustrated in, the control substrateand the batteryare disposed in the thick sectionto overlap at least in part as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. The control substrateand the batteryare thus disposed in the thick sectionto overlap as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation(Z direction), which reduces the area of the thick sectionin the planar direction (XY-plane direction). This enables space saving of the thick sectionof the radiographic imaging apparatus-in the planar direction and prevents increase in size.

As illustrated in, the grip portionand the processing substrateare disposed in the thick sectionwithout overlapping each other as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. Moreover, as illustrated in, the batteryand the processing substrateare disposed in the thick sectionwithout overlapping each other as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. Furthermore, as illustrated in, the processing substrateand the batteryare disposed in the thick sectionwith the grip portiontherebetween as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation.

As illustrated in this, the grip portion, the control substrate, the processing substrate, and the batteryare efficiently arranged in the thick sectionas seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation, whereby the area of the thick sectionis reduced.

Next, a second exemplary embodiment will be described. In the following description of the second exemplary embodiment, a description of items common to the foregoing first exemplary embodiment is omitted, and differences from the foregoing first exemplary embodiment will be described.

is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiographic imaging system-according to the second exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in, the radiographic imaging system-includes a radiographic imaging apparatus-and a radiation generation apparatus. In this, components similar to those illustrated inare denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system corresponding to the XYZ coordinate system illustrated in.

is a view of the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment, seen from the rear surface. In this, component similar to those illustrated inare denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system corresponding to the XYZ coordinate system illustrated in.

In the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in, a grip portionfor the user to grip the housingis disposed in the thick sectionof the housingon a side with the rear surface.

is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration in cross section B-B of the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment illustrated in. In this, components similar to those illustrated inare denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.also illustrates an XYZ coordinate system corresponding to the XYZ coordinate system illustrated in. Specifically, cross section B-B illustrated inis a cross section along the Y direction.

As illustrated in, the grip portionis formed in a recessed shape in the thick sectionof the housingon a side with the rear surfaceopposite to the radiation incident surfacewhere the radiationis incident. The grip portionand the control substrateare disposed to overlap in part as seen in the Z direction that is the incident direction of the radiation. Here, the grip portionis disposed on a side with the rear surface, and the control substrateis disposed on a side with the radiation incident surface.

Even in the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment, the control substrateand the processing substrateare disposed to overlap in part in one side of the thick section. The batteryand the control substrateare disposed to overlap in part as seen in the incident direction of the radiation. Even in the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment, the batteryis disposed in an area where neither of the processing substrateand the grip portionis disposed as seen in the incident direction of the radiation.

Even in the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the second exemplary embodiment, like the radiographic imaging apparatus-according to the first exemplary embodiment, the area of the thick sectionin the planar direction (XY-plane direction) is reduced, which prevents increase in size. The grip portionoreasy for the user to hold may therefore be employed depending on the shape of the thick section. If the thick sectionhas room for accommodation in the thickness direction, a configuration where both the grip portionsandare disposed may be employed. In such a case, the grip portion, the control substrate, and the grip portionmay be arranged in this order as seen from the radiation incident surface.

Next, a third exemplary embodiment will be described. In the following description of the third exemplary embodiment, a description of items common to the foregoing first and second exemplary embodiments is omitted, and differences from the foregoing first and second exemplary embodiments will be described.